Mulbarton Wanderers and Woodford Town will replay their FA Cup second qualifying round match following an FA determination that a referee made a technical error during the original fixture played on Saturday.
Mulbarton won the initial contest 2-1 at Woodford’s ground, but the home team filed a protest concerning a penalty decision made in the 30th minute. Woodford had scored from the penalty, but the referee disallowed the goal due to encroachment by Woodford players and instead awarded Mulbarton an indirect free-kick. According to the laws of the game, the referee should have ordered the penalty to be retaken rather than awarding a free-kick to the opposing team.
The FA initially rejected Woodford’s protest, stating that a challenge based on misapplication of the rules was not permissible. However, an FA sub-committee later reviewed the matter and determined that a technical error had occurred, mandating a replay of the match. The replay will take place on Tuesday, 29 September, at Mulbarton’s home ground, with the tie to be decided on the night with no extra fixtures required.
Mulbarton, competing in the Isthmian League North at the eighth tier, expressed significant disappointment with the decision, characterizing the club as “deeply upset.” The Norfolk-based side raised concerns about the broader implications for result finality in FA Cup competitions and the integrity of the game. Woodford Town, based in Redbridge and competing in the ninth tier, thanked the FA for its thorough review and welcomed the decision ensuring compliance with FA Cup regulations.
The winners of the replay will advance to the third qualifying round on Saturday, 3 October, hosting Gloucester City of the Southern League Premier Division South. Gloucester City, competing at the seventh tier, acknowledged the frustration the replay scenario creates for supporters who had made plans around the originally scheduled fixture.
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